(Web Desk) — In Sindh, officials have reported a concerning trend of HIV diagnoses, with an average of 260 new cases detected each month, according to the Sindh health department, reported by The News.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, 10% to 15% of these cases are children, predominantly under the age of 12. The districts of Larkana, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, and Karachi have been notably affected.
The outbreak has been exacerbated by practices such as the reuse of syringes and IV drips by unqualified practitioners, as well as poor infection prevention and control measures. Other contributing factors include tainted blood and mother-to-child transmission. The latest spike in cases was observed in Mirpur Khas, where 20 children tested positive for HIV over a six-month period.
Authorities from the Sindh health department and the Common Management Unit for AIDS, TB, and Malaria reported that May 2024 saw the highest number of new HIV cases in the province, with 293 individuals diagnosed. Dr. Zulfiqar Dharejo, Deputy Director General of Communicable Disease Control, confirmed that among the 260 monthly cases, approximately 50-60 are children.
Efforts are underway to manage the situation, with 18 infected children in Mirpur Khas receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and two children having tragically passed away. The health department continues to monitor and respond to the evolving HIV crisis in the region.
